Researchers develop OLED flexible wearable oximeter

Engineers at the University of California at Berkeley have developed a flexible sensor with embedded red OLEDs and infrared OLEDs that detect blood oxygen levels in large areas of skin, tissues and organs. By tracking blood oxygen, OLED sensors can help monitor healing wounds.

 

The study was led by Yasser Khan, a graduate student in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at the University of California at Berkeley. The research team has published their oximeter development report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

 

“When you hear the word oximeter, the rigid and bulky finger clip sensor will come to your mind. We hope to get rid of this stereotype and show that the oximeter can be light and flexible.” Khan Say.

 

Traditional oximeters use red LEDs and IR LED sources to illuminate the skin and then detect how much light reaches the other side. Blood with a higher oxygen content absorbs more infrared light, while oxygen-deficient blood absorbs more red light. The sensor then determines the blood oxygen level by observing the ratio of transmitted light. However, LED-based oximeters can only work on partially transparent body areas (such as fingertips or earlobe) and can only measure blood oxygen levels at a single point in the body.

 

 

The top of the sensor developed by the research team is an organic photodetector printed sheet with red OLED and infrared LED on the bottom. The organic electronic components are printed on flexible plastic and molded into the contour of the body. The sensor can detect the grid. 9 o'clock blood oxygen level and can be placed anywhere on the skin.

 

“All medical applications based on oximetry can benefit from wearable sensors,” said Ana Claudia Arias, a professor of electrical engineering and computer science at the University of California, Berkeley. “Patients with diabetes, respiratory illness, and even sleep apnea can use this sensor that can be worn anywhere to monitor blood oxygen levels around the clock.”

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